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African runners were among those who dominated the scene in 2024 and among them, there were youngsters who impressed, earning them bumper rewards in the process.
A number of African youngsters have grabbed headlines in track and field this season and while they enjoyed success in their various races, they also raked in some handsome cash rewards. So, who earned what from the continent’s highly talented youngsters?
Letsile Tebogo (21)
Botswana sprinter Letsile Tebogo had a highly successful 2024 season when he won Olympics gold in 200m, led Team Botswana to silver in 4x400m relay, while also claiming five Diamond League wins with a 300m world record also achieved this year.
His Olympics victory has seen him not just lauded but also handsomely rewarded by various organizations and leaders in Botswana with his earnings since winning the Olympics gold going beyond $250,000 (Khs32 million).
This is besides receiving two houses worth $75,000 (Ksh9.8 million) each and a number of cattle. From the track, he made $50,000 (Ksh6.5 million) from World Athletics for winning Olympics gold, and $58,000 (Ksh7.5 million) from Diamond League races and there was more from the Grand Prix he took part in.
Emmanuel Wanyonyi (20)
Kenya’s 800m sensation Emmanuel Wanyonyi has also enjoyed a great season that saw him win Olympics gold, Diamond League title as well as a number of other meets.
He also broke the men’s road mile world record at the Adizero: Road to Records 2024 with 3:54.5 in Herzogenaurach while defending his Kip Keino Classic title.
While it is not known what his record-breaking feat in Herzogenaurach brought him, he was guaranteed $50,000 (6.5 million) from World Athletics for Olympics gold, banked from a total of $62,000 (Ksh8 million) from the Diamond League wins, while the Kenyan government rewarded him Ksh3 million for winning gold in Paris.
Faith Cherotich (20)
Kenya’s 3,000m steeplechase wonder girl Faith Cherotich also had a great season that saw her win bronze at the Olympics with her stunning victory at the Diamond League final being her main highlight.
She banked $43,000 (Ksh5.5 million) from the Diamond League, largely boosted by her win at the final, while also claiming Ksh1 million from the government’s kitty for her Olympics bronze, taking her total to Ksh6.5 million.
Muzala Samukonga (21)
Zambian sprinter Muzala Samukonga was another name who lit up the 2024 campaign following his historic bronze medal in 400m at the Paris Olympics.
It was Zambia’s first-ever Olympics medal in 28 years while he also finished third at the Diamond League final besides two second-place finishes.
From the Diamond League, he bagged a total of $24,000 (Ksh3 million) while he was also part of the Zambia 4x400m team that finished fourth at the World Relays Championships to pocket $8,000 (Ksh1 million).
While he has had a back and forth with the Zambian government over non-payment of his Olympics allowances, he received a $5,000 (Ksh645,000) pledge from Micmar Zambia, honoring his remarkable achievement of winning a bronze medal at the Paris 2024 Games.
Bernard Biwott (22)
Kenya’s Bernard Biwott marked his marathon debut with a cheque of over Ksh4 million following his victory at the Frankfurt Marathon last Sunday.
Biwott ran a tactical race to fend off the challenge of Ethiopian Gossa Challa, winning in a time of 2:05:54, in what was the first marathon of his career.
The Frankfurt Marathon has a prize money of €30,000 (Ksh4.2 million) for male winners who run inside 2:06:30 and with his victory, Biwott walked home with a handsome amount for his hard work.
Bayanda Walaza (18)
Still only 18, South Africa’s Bayanda Walaza has already made history as he became the first athlete from his country to win an Olympics medal while still in high school.
Walaza was part of the South Africa quartet that won Olympics silver in 4x100m relay alongside Shaun Maswanganyi, Bradley Nkoana and Akani Simbine.
Although he did not run, he was also part of Team SA that clinched gold in 4x100m at the World Relay Championships while he capped off an incredible year with a win in both 100m and 200m at the World U20 Championships.
For the Olympics heroics, the relay team was awarded R75,000 (Ksh5.5 million), $40,000 (Ksh5.1 million) for gold at World Relays while more was banked from his U20 wins although it yet to be made public.
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